Detectives with the Sarasota Police Department have arrested and charged Dannie Ray Horner, 34, of Sarasota. This comes after Horner sexually battered a 1 year-old child, took naked photos of that child and traded those pornographic images online with people in Argentina, Australia and West Virginia.

Horner has been charged with:

• Felony sexual battery (Victim under 12, Suspect over 18)

• Felony sexual performance by a child – Production of child pornography

• Felony transmission of pornography by electronic device

• Felony battery of a child by expelling certain fluids of materials

If convicted, Horner could face life in prison.

Sarasota Police Detective Megan Buck is the lead detective on the case and is part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Detective Buck worked with other members of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force including Detective Kevin Bunch from the Bradenton Police Department. Detective Buck also worked with the Department of Homeland Security, Sarasota Police Department Street Crimes Unit and members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

"This case is an example that evil exists in this world," said Detective Sergeant Tom Shanafelt. "But thanks to the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department and our partnering agencies, this monster is behind bars. Let this be a warning that the Sarasota Police Department will not tolerate this behavior when we become aware of it. We will restlessly investigate those responsible for it to the full extent of the law," said Shanafelt.